County welcomes newest employee

Mike Waite is the newest full-time Morgan County employee, accepting the newly created county facilities manager position. When the job description was created in June, the Morgan County Council envisioned the position would oversee the county’s parks, road, weed, fairgrounds, and building and grounds departments.
Waite was formerly employed by Syracuse city as the public works director for 17 years. He oversaw two water systems, three pump stations, 95 miles of city roads, the city road plan, 105 acres of parks, seven miles of trails, an urban fishery, nine acres of recreation area, an extensive safety program, and snow removal including 11 snow plows.
Waite, who maintains a valid CDL license, said that the Syracuse staff of 19 employees that he oversaw did a lot of work themselves, such as electrical work and welding.
It is something he intends to do in Morgan, as well. In fact, his first day on the job he fabricated a spacer for a slide in one of the county parks. The following weeks he dealt with slurry seal and river banks.
“I am not a desk guy. I like to work and be outside,” said Watie. “I love to work and be involved, and wear boots and jeans to work every day.”
He said Morgan County has a similar population compared to the 6,000 people in Syracuse 17 years ago. In his time at Syracuse, that population grew to 28,000 people. He has seen first-hand the challenges of a growing community including managing storm water runoff and other growth-related issues.
He has water certifications covering drinking water and waste water treatment.
Although currently a Davis County residents, Waite intends to look for a new home in Morgan for his wife of 22 years and his three children.
“I love the feel of Morgan,” he said. “I like coming here to work every day. It has a small-town feel where everyone knows everyone.”
Waite said his goal is to be an asset to the county, and someone people can look to.